Increasingly large distribution companies and retailers are turning to double deck trailers in a move to significantly reduce costs. According to Chris Curzon, sales director for Lawrence David, sales of double deck trailers have increased by a 750 per cent in the past five years. And John Fletcher, operations director for Dawsonrentals Truck and Trailer division, says: “We have seen a significant swing towards double deck trailer usage, even among small distributors and hauliers. In the past three years rentals have doubled year on year.”
“Another trend in the last two years is the increased use of fixed double deck trailers, as opposed to moving deck or those with internal lifts” says Fletcher. “The driver for this, again, is the reduction in capital cost.”
The move to fixed deck trailers however presents other challenges at the loading dock which Laweco has been addressing.
Laweco recently demonstrated the 125th scissor lift manufactured for the UK’s distribution business at this years “Logistics Link Live” exhibition.
Laweco has been making scissor lifts for nearly 30 years and its double deck scissor lifts are designed to provide ‘duty holders’ with every safety feature required for compliance with “Work at Height Regulations 2005”, such as fully interlocked load gates, goods retention screening and bridge plate safety gates.
Pfaff-Silberblau has launched a new DIN EN 1570 range of hydraulic scissor-lifting tables. Capable of being individually adapted to suit differing customer requirements, the new range is made up of 15 system versions of the “simple scissor” type table.
The range includes lifting tables suitable for both handling and integrated system applications. Models are also available with high-quality bearing systems, combined with cooling, for high numbers of cycles in multiple-shift operations.
The lifting tables are designed for loads of 500 to 10,000 kg, with lifting heights of 800, 1,000, 1,300 or 1,600 mm. In addition to the standard lifting speed, there are several pump units and motors to choose from. There are also different choices of scissor, bearings and drives available, as well as versions with a self-supporting base frame. The self-supporting base frame removes the need for a concrete bed.
Easilift Loading Systems has just celebrated its 30th anniversary. The Kirkburton, Huddersfield-based company, part of the Loading Systems International Group, counts among its customers Arla Foods, Boots, Laura Ashley, Morrisons, Next, Sainsbury’s, and Tesco. Managing director Phil Dinning, says: “Sales have consistently increased as our customers continue to build new warehouse & distribution centres, as well as refurbishing existing premises.”
Elephante exhibited its new Kandula range of hydraulic goods lifts at Logistics Link Live. This range is designed to allow the company to enter the lower priced lift market offering a very competitively priced lift while maintaining the robustness and reliability of the rack and pinion lift as seen in many of the distribution centres in the UK.
The shift from manufacturing to importing that has taken place in the UK in recent years means that more and more companies have to cope with unloading shipping containers. Transdek has supplied more than 100 of its mobile platforms to customers, including parcel companies, furniture manufacturers, food and drink wholesalers, garden equipment manufacturers, multiple retailers and bonded warehouses. The platforms are available in several specifications, but all allow several operators to work at a time.
